The UK government has reportedly abandoned its promise to hold a parliamentary debate concerning reparations for veterans who were discharged from the military because of their sexuality. In July, following a review, then Defence Secretary Ben Wallace pledged the debate. However, sources have indicated that this debate has now been scrapped and veterans will not have the opportunity to scrutinize the government’s response. It is claimed that the government will shortly publish its full reaction to the recommendations of the Independent LGBT Veterans review lead by Lord Etherton.
Leading military charities and organisations such as Help for Heroes, Age UK, The Royal British Legion, and Women’s Royal Army Corps Association have signed an open letter addressed to the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak urging him to honour the commitment to hold a debate. The charities have also demanded the lifting of the £50m compensation cap recommended in the review. They state that this limitation may result in veterans receiving less than £20k in financial settlements, with many unable to find steady housing and suffering from impoverishment in older age.
The LGBT Veterans Independent Review collected the experiences of 1,145 veterans who served between 1967 and 2000. It found that homophobic bigotry had been policy in the military resulting in veterans experiencing homophobia, blackmail, bullying, sexual assault, “disgraceful” medical examinations, and conversion therapy. Until 2000, those considered gay or perceived as such were forced out or sacked from the military.
Acknowledging the ban as a “horrific failure” of the British state, Prime Minister Sunak pledged to make reparations, but the debate is now being replaced with a statement by current Defence Secretary Grant Shapps. The Scottish Parliament, however, will hold a debate on 13 December. Campaign group Fighting with Pride, which advocated for the review, has criticised the decision to scrap the debate stating that the government is failing to match the courage of the veterans
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